Fight vs illegal fishing absent after Loy left

CEBU, Philippines - The Capitol’s Anti-illegal fishing task force has not made any operations yet since chief of security Loy Madrigal resigned last month.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resour-ces Chief Czareem Estella confirmed this during the first KapiEstorya press conference of the Provincial Information Office.

Madrigal vacated his post due to a controversy involving him and his secretary after his photo with the woman resting her head on his shoulder was posted online by Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez.

No less than Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III requested Madrigal and the woman, who was married, to resign.

Madrigal was one of Capitol personnel who actively carried out operations against illegal fishing and illegal quarrying of sand and gravel.

 “Wala pa tay operations, but duna tay mga na-identify na illegal operators and we’re working now with the Navy kay bag-o man na ilang commander. In due time (we would launch anti-illegal fishing operations). I spoke with the provincial administrator and told him na among siguradohon na ipakita nato sa katawhan na ang task force makatrabaho (that we would show the Cebuanos that the task force can work) with or without Loy,” Estella said.

He said the task force’s operations are not dependent on one person alone, and added that Madrigal was just part of the task force and not really its head.

Meanwhile, Estella said that under PENRO’s Mines and Geosciences services, they monitor and assess quarry operations in the province and continue to deploy mobile checkpoints in various locations where there are extractions and hauling of mineral products.

He said that from January to August this year, 362 cargo trucks have been apprehended and impounded with the help of LGUs.

The number is twice more than the 170 made in 2012. With the apprehensions, the provincial government has generated revenue of up to P36 million from fines, penalties and related fees.  (FREEMAN)